High-power and highly efficient diode-cladding-pumped holmium-doped fluoride fiber laser operating at 2.94 μm

A high-power diode-cladding-pumped Ho(3+), Pr(3+)-doped fluoride glass fiber laser is demonstrated. The laser produced a maximum output power of 2.5 W at a slope efficiency of 32% using diode lasers emitting at 1150 nm. The long-emission wavelength of 2.94 mu m measured at maximum pump power, which is particularly suited to medical applications, indicates that tailoring of the proportion of Pr(3+) ions can provide specific emission wavelengths while providing sufficient de-excitation of the lower laser level. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America